Turkey detains Russian ship suspected of carrying Ukrainian grain

Turkish customs said that a Russian cargo ship suspected of transporting grain from Ukraine was detained in Turkish waters on Sunday, according to Sputnik.

"The vessel is here but there is no clarity and no concrete decision has been taken. A request was made [by Ukraine to detain the ship] and an investigation is underway," the source said. 

Vladimir Rogov, a member of the newly-established military-civilian administration of the Zaporizhzhia region, accused the West of piracy, saying that the ones who created the situation in Ukraine "are blocking grain sales and hunting Russian ships carrying that grain" while also "accusing Russia of causing global hunger."

Officials in Ukraine said the grain was seized from Berdyansk Port in the southeastern province of Zaporizhzhia. The area is currently under the control of Russian forces.

Rogov said the detained ship was carrying 4,500 tons of grain. A Russian-flagged cargo ship transporting 7,000 tons of grain sailed from the Black Sea port of Berdyank on Thursday, according to Sputnik, and Ukraine asked Turkey to detain the vessel.